Can Heartburn Medications Diminish Plavix Effectiveness?

The FDA announced today that it is reviewing the benefits of the blood-thinner Plavix, which is the world's second-best selling drug. It is used by millions of people to reduce the likelihood of a heart attack or a stroke, but federal health officials feel it may be less effective in certain patients.

The FDA is investigating the possibility that certain heartburn medications may diminish the the drug's effectiveness. They are also looking into the possibility that people with certain genetic backgrounds may not actually benefit from the use of Plavix. In both of these cases, the patient may not be able to metabolize the drug, thereby making it ineffective.

According to the FDA, patients should continue taking the prescribed medication, but physicians should be cautious when prescribing heartburn drugs to patients who are currently taking Plavix. For more information, read FDA Reviews Benefits of Plavix in Certain Patients by Matthew Perrone.